Heavy overnight rains wreaked havoc in the Nilgiris district, triggering multiple landslides and disrupting essential services. The hill station of Coonoor was particularly hard-hit, with officials reporting a significant number of incidents following the downpour that lasted from Thursday night into Friday morning.
Rainfall Data and Immediate Impact
The region was battered by intense precipitation, with Coonoor recording a substantial 21.5 centimetres of rainfall within a 24-hour period. Nearby Kotagiri also received heavy showers, measuring 11.5 cm. This relentless rain led to landslides at 18 different locations around Coonoor, causing widespread disruption.
Numerous trees were uprooted by the force of the weather, blocking roads at several key points. According to revenue department officials, trees fell onto roads at five specific spots in Coonoor, with one incident each reported in Udhagamandalam (Ooty) and Kotagiri. The popular Nilgiris Mountain Railway services were forced to a halt on Friday morning as a safety precaution.
Official Assessment and Response
Nilgiris District Collector, Lakshmi Bhavya Tanneeru, addressed the media, detailing the extent of the damage. She confirmed incidents of landslips, boulder falls, and tree collapses across parts of Coonoor. Fortunately, she stated that there were no reports of casualties.
"The situation is normal. All road restoration works are in progress," the Collector said. Highlighting proactive measures, she noted that authorities identified one landslide-vulnerable zone near a residential area in Coonoor. As a precaution, around 40 people were temporarily relocated from their homes to community halls for their safety.
Property Damage and Localised Issues
While major property damage was averted, the landslides did cause some destruction. Two parked cars in the Uzhavar Sandhai area of Coonoor were damaged by falling debris. Furthermore, floodwaters entered some residences in the Model House area, causing distress to inhabitants.
Other localities, including Apple B, TTK Road, and Velankanni Nagar, reported power outages and minor landslides. The infrastructure also took a hit, with one electricity pole damaged by the severe weather; repair work is currently underway.
Traffic movement was severely affected as the heavy rainfall uprooted a total of five trees in Coonoor, one in Ooty, and one in Kotagiri, blocking key routes. The Southern Railway cancelled the scenic mountain train services after boulders and trees fell on both the Mettupalayam–Ooty and the Coonoor–Ooty tracks. Fire and rescue services personnel have been deployed across the affected areas to clear the uprooted trees and restore normalcy.
